ged,

I am not sure that this is the explanation I would give for the failure of the 17+1, or rather 17 x 1+1, as one European wag put it:

"Also the 17+1 attempt is failing because of China's closeness to Russian leader Vladimir Putin in recent times has gone down badly with the Baltic states."

rather I would say that the reality has fallen well short of the rhetoric. if the CEE countries hoped for lashings of money, they have been disappointed. the eu has invested many times more in these countries. but it is much worse at propaganda.